GB2460454A

GB2460454A - A foldable chair with hinged seat

Info

Publication number: GB2460454A
Application number: GB0809882A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fergus Johnathan Ardern
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-05-30
Filing date: 2008-05-30
Publication date: 2009-12-02
Also published as: GB201020132D0; GB2474143A; WO2009144500A3; WO2009144500A2; GB0809882D0

Abstract

A foldable chair 10 comprises a seating portion 22, the opposite edges 20a, 20b of which are pivotally connected to respective stanchions 12a, 12b. The seating portion 22 comprises a hinge 40 parallel to and equidistant between the two pivotally connected opposite edges, to allow the seating portion to be folded in an upward direction for storage. There may also be a backrest 34 between the stanchions 12a, 12b with a similar hinge, or one edge may be releasable from the stanchion to allow folding. A seating assembly (see figure 3) comprising two or more foldable chairs 10 may be formed with a single stanchion between each seat portion.

Description

Foldable Seating

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a folding seat and to a retractable seating assembly.

Background to the Invention

Temporary andlor retractable seating is often required for events such as concerts and shows. Such seating needs to be easy to erect and strike and should ideally take up only a small amount of space when not in use. Presently, retractable seating is bulky and although retractable it usually takes up a significant amount of space when not in use.

Present retractable seating also often requires specialist installation, which is costly.

Current retractable seating systems can be time consuming to erect and often require connecting various parts together using bolts, making it very labour intensive.

Foldable chairs, such as directors chairs', comprise a fabric seat which is attached to a frame that opens and closes using a scissor mechanism. Therefore, when the chair is folded, the overall height of the chair increases. A disadvantage of such a chair is that by increasing in height when the chair is folded, the height of the storage and transporting space needs to he equally as high. When transporting the chair, the more compact it is the cheaper the transport costs.

The present invention, at least in its preferred embodiment, seeks to obviate one or more of these disadvantages of known seating systems.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a foldable seat comprising a first stanchion and second stanchion and a seating portion between the stanchions. The seating portion has two opposite edges which are each pivotally connected to a respective stanchion. The seating portion comprises a hinge substantially parallel to and substantially equidistant between the two pivotally connected opposite edges, to allow the io seating portion to be folded in an upward direction for storage. When the foldable seat is in the fom of a chair, by folding the seating portion in an upward direction, the chair can be folded without increasing the overall height of the chair. Therefore, the amount of space, and associated costs, for storing and transporting the chair are kept low.

Preferably, the seat further comprises a backrest to form a chair. One end of the backrest may be pivotally mounted to the first stanchion. The other end of the backrest may be releasably connected to the second stanchion. With this arrangement, the backrest may be used to lock the chair in a usable position. The backrest can be released from the second stanchion and pivoted away from the second stanchion to allow the chair to be folded up.

The backrest also offers increased comfort for a user.

This in itself is believed to be a novel configuration, and thus viewed from a further aspect the invention provides a foldable seat comprising a first stanchion, a second stanchion, a seating portion between the stanchions and a backrest, wherein one end of the backrest is pivotally mounted to the first stanchion, and the other end of the backrest is releasably connected to the second stanchion.

Advantageously, the seat may comprise a connecting member with one end of the connecting member pivotally connected to the second stanchion and the other end of the connecting member connected to a position substantially equidistant between the two ends of the backrest. The connecting member links the backrest to the second stanchion to which the backrest if releasably attached. By releasing the backrest and pivoting it about its other end, the connecting member simultaneously draws the stanchions together to allow the chair to he folded quickly and easily. Thus, pivoting of the backrest relative to the first stanchion causes the connecting member to urge the second stanchion towards the first stanchion.

Alternatively, or in addition, the above mechanism for the backrest, which comprises using a connecting member connected to the backrest and to the same stanchion to which the releasably attached end of the backrest attaches, may be used for the seating portion of the chair. Thus, when the seating portion of the chair is released from the stanchion and lifted, the stanchions are simultaneously drawn together by the connecting member.

This in itself is believed to be a novel configuration and thus viewed from a further aspect the invention provides a foldable seat comprising a first stanchion and a second stanchion and a seating portion between the stanchions. The seating portion has two opposite edges, one of which is pivotally connected to one of the stanchions and the other of which releasably connected to the other stanchion. The seating portion is provided with a connecting member, one end of which is pivotally attached to the seating portion at a position substantially equidistant between the two opposite sides of the seating portion and the other end of which is pivotally attached to the stanchion that is releasably attached to the seating portion, whereby pivoting of the seating portion upwardly causes the connecting member to urge the stanchions towards each other. The releasable end of the backrest and the seating portion may either be releasably connected to the same stanchion, or releasably connected to opposite stanchions. Thus, one edge of the seating portion is pivotally connected to the first stanchion and the other edge of the seating portion is releasably connected to the second stanchion, In one construction, one end of the backrest is pivotally connected to the first stanchion, and the other end of the backrest is pivotally connected to the second stanchion. In such an arrangement the backrest may he provided with a hinge substantially equidistant between its two ends to allow it to be folded. Such a construction allows for the backrest to be folded in a similar manner to the seating portion and allows for a compact folded chair. In a preferred configuration, the backrest folds in a substantially perpendicular direction to the seating portion and above it.

The invention also extends to a retractable seating assembly comprising a foldable seat as described above. The assembly further comprises at least a third stanchion and at least a second seating portion. The second seating portion is provided between the third stanchion and the first (or second) stanchion to form a second foldable seat as described above.

This in itself is believed to be a novel configuration and thus viewed from a further aspect the invention provides a retractable seating assembly comprising two or more folding seats, each folding seat comprising a seat portion between two stanchions, wherein a io seating portion of a first folding chair is pivotally connected to a stanchion, and a seating portion of an adjacent second folding chair is pivotally connected to the same stanchion.

In general terms, the invention provides a retractable seating assembly comprising n folding seat portions and n+ 1 stanchions with each folding seat portion located between two of the stanchions. Advantageously from a manufacturing perspective, the stanchions are identical. The use of common stanchions in the seating assembly reduces the cost, size and weight of the seating assembly. The number of stanchions required for the assembly is the same as the number of chairs in the row, plus one. Furthermore, the chairs can fold in a concertina-like fashion, making folding and unfolding of the chairs relatively simple to effect, without requiring any bolts or fixings.

In the preferred embodiment, the seating assembly or foldable seat is formed of moulded plastics, preferably injection moulded plastics.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now he described, by way of an example only. and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a foldable chair in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the foldable chair of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a front view of an assembly of foldable chairs in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

Figure 1 shows a foldable chair 10 comprising a first stanchion 12a, having a lower end I 4a in the form of a leg portion, and an upper end in the form of an extension 1 6a. The top of the lower end 1 4a of the first stanchion 12a comprises a substantially horizontal section 1 8a. One edge 20a of a substantially rectangular seating portion 22 is pivotally mounted upon the horizontal section 1 Sa of the first stanchion 1 2a. The opposite edge 20b of the seating portion 22 is releas ably connected to a horizontal section 1 8h at the top of the lower end 14b of a second stanchion 12h.

The second stanchion 1 2b is further provided with an extension 1 6b. The first stanchion io l2a and the second stanchion 12b are identical, each having a pivot mounting 30 on one side of the horizontal section 18 and a releasably connecting mount 32 on the outer side.

One end of a backrest 34 is pivotally mounted upon the extension 1 6a of the first stanchion 12a. The other end of the backrest 34 is releasably attached to the extension l6b of the second stanchion 12b.

One end of a connecting member 42 is pivotably connected to the mid-point of the rear of the backrest 34, the other end of the connecting member 42 is pivotably attached to the extension 1 6b of the same stanchion 1 2b to which the backrest 34 is releasably attached.

The seating portion 22 comprises two halves 36 and 38 connected by a hinge 40, which runs parallel to and equidistant from the portions 18a and l8b of the two stanchions 12a and 12b respectively. The hinge 40 is arranged such that the two halves may be folded in an upward direction but cannot be folded downwardly.

When folding the chair 10, the releasable end of the backrest 34 is released from the second stanchion 12b and pivoted away from the first stanchion 1 2a about its pivotally connected end. As the released end of the backrest 34 is pivoted, the end of the connecting member 42 which is pivotally connected to the second stanchion 1 2b is drawn towards the first stanchion 1 2a. The second stanchion 1 2b is therefore drawn towards the first stanchion 12a.

As the two stanchions 1 2a and I 2h are drawn together, the two halves 36 and 38 of the seating portion 22 are pivoted in opposite directions about the hinge 40, such that the hinge is raised vertically. The halves 36 and 38 of the seating portion also pivot about their connections to the respective stanchions and the halves 36 and 38 are brought together so that they are moved into a substantially vertical and parallel position with the undersides of the halves 36 and 38 adjacent to one another. In a folded position, the inner faces of the stanchions 12a and 12b are brought into contact with one another with the seat portion 22 folded in half and positioned in an upward direction, The backrest 34 is pivoted so that it projects over the folded stanchions 1 2a and 12b, perpendicular to the extension 1 6a of the first stanchion 1 2a.

io The invention further relates to a seating assembly comprising two or more folding chairs and 10'. One edge of a seating portion 22 of the first folding chair 10 is pivotally attached to a first stanchion 12a and the opposite edge of the seating portion 22 is pivotally attached to one side of a second stanchion 12b. One edge of a seating portion 22 of an adjacent folding chair 10' is attached to the other side of the second stanchion l2b. The opposite edge of the seating portion 22' or the second folding chair 10' is attached to a one side of a third stanchion 12c. At the upper ends of the folding chairs 10 and 10', a first backrest 34 is pivotally attached at one end to the first stanchion 1 2a. The other end of the first backrest 34 is releasable attached to one side of the second stanchion l2b. A second backrest 34' of the second folding chair 10' is pivotally connected to the other side of the second stanchion 1 2a. The other end of the second backrest 34' is releasably connected to one side of the third stanchion 12c.

The seating portions 22 and 22' are constructed as described above in relation to the folding chair. As the seating portions 22 and 22' are folded, and the backrests 34 and 34' are pivoted forward, the stanchions 12a, 1 2b and 1 2c come together such that adjacent stanchions 12a, 12b and 12c touch one another.

The overall length of the folded assembly 10 is the width of a stanchion 12a, 12b and l2c, multiplied by the number of stanchions 12a, 12b and 12c. Further chairs can be added to the assembly by attaching them to the stanchion 12 on the end of the row. Similarly, the row length can be reduced by taking chairs 10 and stanchions 12 off the end of the row.

Therefore, the rows can be quickly and easily adjusted to meet the user's requirements.

Numerous other variations and modifications to the illustrated construction may occur to the reader familiar with the art without taking the device outside the scope of the present invention. For example, rather than being hinged, the seating portion may comprise two halves, pivotally attached to the stanchions that interlock on being lowered and which pivot independently of one another, Likewise, the backrest may comprise two halves pivotally mounted on the extensions of the stanchions, that interlock when unfolded to a usable position but that may be pivoted independently.

In summary, a foldable chair 10 comprises a seating portion 22, two opposite edges of io which are pivotally connected to respective stanchions 12a, 12b. The seating portion 22 comprises a hinge 40 substantially parallel to and substantially equidistant between the two pivotally connected opposite edges, to allow the seating portion to be folded in an upward direction for storage. The invention extends to a seating assembly comprising two or more foldable chairs.

Claims

Claims 1. A foldable seat comprising a first stanchion and second stanchion and a seating portion between the stanchions, wherein the seating portion has two opposite edges which are each pivotally connected to a respective stanchion, and the seating portion comprises a hinge substantially parallel to and substantially equidistant between the two pivotally connected opposite edges, to allow the seating portion to be folded in an upward direction for storage.
2. A foldable seat comprising a first stanchion and a second stanchion and a seating io portion between the stanchions, wherein the seating portion has two opposite edges, one of which is pivotally connected to one of the stanchions and the other of which releas ably connected to the other stanchion, and the seating portion is provided with a connecting member, one end of which is pivotally attached to the seating portion at a position substantially equidistant between the two opposite sides of the seating portion and the other end of which is pivotally attached to the stanchion that is releasably attached to the seating portion. whereby pivoting of the seating portion upwardly causes the connecting member to urge the stanchions towards each other.
3. A foldable seat according to claim 2, wherein one edge of the seating portion is pivotally connected to the first stanchion and the other edge of the seating portion is releasably connected to the second stanchion,
4. A foldable seat according to any preceding claim, wherein, the seat further comprises a backrest, one end of which is pivotally mounted to the first stanchion, and the other end of which is releasably connected to the second stanchion.
5. A foldable seat comprising a first stanchion, a second stanchion, a seating portion between the stanchions and a backrest, wherein one end of the backrest is pivotally mounted to the first stanchion, and the other end of the backrest is releasably connected to the second stanchion.
6. A foldable seat according to claim 4 or 5 further comprising a connecting member, wherein one end of the connecting member is pivotally connected to the second stanchion, and the other end of the connecting member is pivotally connected to the backrest at a position substantially equidistant between the two ends of the backrest, whereby pivoting of the backrest relative to the first stanchion causes the connecting member to urge the second stanchion towards the first stanchion.
7. A foldable seat according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the seat further comprises a backrest and one end of the backrest is pivotally connected to the first stanchion, and the other end of the backrest is pivotally connected to the second stanchion, and wherein the backrest is provided with a hinge substantially equidistant io between its two ends to allow it to be folded.
8. A retractable seating assembly comprising a foldable seat according to any preceding claim, and further comprising at least a third stanchion and at least a second seating portion, wherein the second seating portion is provided between the third stanchion and one of the first and second stanchions to form a second foldable seat according to any preceding claim.
9. A retractable seating assembly comprising two or more folding seats, each folding seat comprising a seat portion between two stanchions, wherein a seating portion of a first o folding chair is pivotally connected to a stanchion, and a seating portion of an adjacent second folding chair is pivotally connected to the same stanchion.
10. A retractable seating assembly according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the stanchions are identical.
11. A retractable seating assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.